Couple's campaign for MP3-free buses

Listening to music can be an excellent way to let a long bus journey pass by.

But not all of your fellow passengers will appreciate a blast of whatever happens to be on your MP3 player or mobile phone.

And today a group of disgruntled commuters have launched a campaign to stop people playing music on London's buses. As a first step the group, Music Free Buses, wants Transport for London to put up clear signs to inform passengers that they are not allowed to listen to music without headphones.

The scheme has already gained backing from several members of the London Assembly, including the deputy chairman of its transport committee. And more than 3,000 members of the public have also signed a petition which is due to be presented to the Mayor on 6 December.

Tom Wright from Music Free Buses said: "London Buses should do more to support passenger rights and to combat the widespread problem of loud and intrusive music.

"With the proliferation of mobile phones with the capacity to play music aloud, headphones no longer appear to be necessary for some bus passengers.

"We started the campaign in response to a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour on buses, sparked by our requests for music to be turned off. We used to take my partner's daughter on the bus on the school run and would end up getting off."

An online survey conducted by the group showed that 80 per cent of passengers said they found this form of music to be annoying and inconsiderate. However, more than 60 per cent also stated that fear of reprisals stopped them from speaking out.